2017 WIAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Championship Preview University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will aim for a 16th consecutive title at the 2017 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Indoor Track & Field Championship (presented by Culver’s) at UW-Stout’s Sports and Fitness Center Feb. 24-25. The 49th edition of the men’s championship will be held in unison with the 41st gathering of the women’s teams. The Eagles earned the 41st league crown in program archives a year ago with 166.50 points to easily surpass the 98 points by UW-Stevens Point. UW-Eau Claire and UW-Whitewater tied for third with 80.50 points, while UW-Platteville was fifth with 77, UW-Oshkosh sixth with 76.50, UW-Stout seventh with 51 and UW-River Falls eighth with 33. This year’s championship features 13 student-athletes that have combined to win 12 individual and seven relay titles at previous WIAC championships. It will also showcase seven teams ranked in the Top 25 of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division III computer rankings distributed on Feb. 14. UW-Whitewater is ranked fourth, while UW-La Crosse is fifth, UW-Stevens Point sixth, UW-Oshkosh seventh, UW-Platteville 12th, UW-Eau Claire 17th and UW-River Falls 20th. UW-La Crosse senior Ross Denman is the most decorated returnee. He has won three straight 400-meter dash titles and is one of just two individuals in league history to accomplish the feat, joining UW-Stout’s Terry Anders (1995-97). Denman was a member of the first-place 4x400-meter relay team a season ago and added a 200-meter dash crown at the 2015 championship when he was selected the Track Performer of the Meet. He was joined on last year’s 4x400-meter relay foursome by sophomore Dominic Bocchini. UW-River Falls senior David Paynotta is the two-time defending champion in the 60-meter dash and received Track Performer of the Meet recognition a year ago. UW-Stevens Point senior Jerry Williams was victorious in the long jump and triple jump a season ago, while senior Neil Pedersen posted a first-place finish in the one-mile run. At the 2015 championship, senior Dane Tyler and junior Michael Evans contributed to the victorious distance medley relay team. UW-Eau Claire seniors Ryan Graham and Nick Petersson were members of last year’s triumphant distance medley relay team, while classmate Jimmy Paske helped the 4x400-meter relay squad to victory in 2014. UW-Platteville senior Matt Dwyer and UW-Whitewater junior Parker Witt are the defending champions in the pole vault and 200-meter dash, respectively. UW-Oshkosh junior Roberto Lara captured the one-mile run at the 2015 championship. UW-Stout sophomore Josh Freyholtz has had strong performances this season in the pole vault. # # # # #